Black Succulents That Are Beyond Beautiful & Easy to Grow

What Are Black Succulents

If you want succulents but prefer one with more unique features and a stronger personality, go for black succulents. They’re a different succulent species that may be called black succulents but, in reality, are only deep purple. If you want to see them in their darkest hue, you might need to set them up in the darkest part of the room, drop the same room’s temperature to zero, and limit their water intake. 

The process of transforming these deep purple succulents into their darkest shade is called ‘stressing.’ While most succulents are advised not to be subjected to stress as it can stunt their growth or kill them, experts say that it’s healthy to stress succulents to a certain degree. This is an example of that acceptable form of ‘stressing.’ Cold stressing happens when one moves succulents to a darker shade and emulates a ‘cold to freezing’ environment, forcing them to grow to their darkest shade. 

When you have a young succulent that you haven’t been exposed to the sun, start subjecting them to cold stressing during spring when there’s still plenty of time for the plant to get acclimated before they experience the scorching summer heat. Keep them from the direct afternoon heat, especially during the hottest days, as it might just leave sunburns on them. Use the time before autumn to readjust them. Minimize their water intake, most especially as soon as the temperatures start to cool. Watering them just like how frequently you water your regular succulents would bring them back to their original green color. 

Benefits of Black Succulents

Like ordinary succulents, black succulents serve a plethora of purposes. One of the great reasons why people love black succulents is their uniqueness and fabulous presence. Green succulents are easy to find and grow, while these black varieties require certain conditions to thrive; that’s why they’re considered valuable. These will seamlessly add more character and aesthetics to your bedroom, living room, and other spaces you intend to decorate them with. 

Most homes these days opt for a modern, rustic, and Scandinavian look, and these succulents are the perfect addition to the motif, furniture, and fixtures of these homes. Decorate your home with the world’s best hanging succulents, and you get a better view of your property. So, one of the best ways to make the most out of your black succulents is to use them as complementary fixtures to your home. Put them in your living room, bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom, and they’ll add aesthetic value to these personal spaces. 

How Do Black Succulents Works

Generally, all types of succulents collect the carbon monoxide inside the room and revert it as oxygen. This only means that the more succulents collecting these toxins in the room, the better the room’s air quality becomes. With black succulents, you did not only improve the aesthetics of your room, but you also improve the air quality of your residence. You see, studies already revealed that indoor spaces have more polluted air than wide, open spaces because air couldn’t circulate well in the former. This means that you need to work more in cleaning indoor spaces, which could be done with black succulents. 

Pros and Cons of Black Succulents

Pros

• Growing succulents from seeds take a lot of time, but people still go for it because of its benefits. One of the best reasons to get a black succulent to decorate your spaces is the fact that they’re rare and offer a certain kind of appeal to your property. As mentioned above, you need to put them in a dark shade, set the room temp at zero, and minimize water intake if you want to see them in their darkest. The fact that they require a certain kind of skill to achieve the plant’s desired color means you need to focus on them. As you focus on growing the plant to its desired color, you tend to relax and unwind, smoothly easing your stress away.
• Another advantage is you get a home or room upgrade at a minimal cost. Most home upgrades require one to invest in expensive renovation costs or pricey fixtures. You can save your renovation money for something more substantial and productive if you go for black succulents instead. They add glam and contrast to your monotonous space at a minimal cost.
• On another note, most succulents, especially the tricolor pink succulents, grow best in a hot climate and need to be exposed to more sunlight to thrive, which is precisely why they’re not ideal in cold and less shady areas of the home. This is not an issue with black succulents, as they love dark and cold regions. This kind of stress works in their favor. Lastly, succulents are generally low-maintenance plants, so growing them won’t take so much of your time and effort.

Cons

• One of the few disadvantages of growing succulents is the amount of effort you have to put in to make them thrive. Generally, succulents are sensitive to stress and water. If you repot or move them incessantly, they’ll get stressed out and die. If they overgrow their pot without being repotted, there’s a high chance that it won’t grow to its maximum size, or it would die. 
• Aside from that, if you don’t use the right potting mixture, they might not grow. And lastly, if you overwater them, the roots could rot, leaving the plant to die a natural death. Apart from all these, these plants also grow better without shade and under cold conditions. So, if you live in hot areas, you might not witness the plant grow in its full color. 

Types of Black Succulents

Black Rose

This black succulent variety is called as such because it resembles the rose flower when in full bloom. Unlike other black succulents that require dark shade to show their unique colors, this succulent needs enough sunlight to thrive. They’re also known as Aeonium Arboreum, and they’re characterized by chubby foliage-like flower and stem that grow best outdoors regardless of the freezing temperature. You also need to keep them in the most well-lit area of the window if you want them to thrive. 

Black Hens and Chicks

Imagine a sacred lotus in full bloom, and you can already picture out what Black hens and chicks look like. This variety often grows in colorful rosettes or a great clump of tiny flowers. They thrive in well-lit areas and porous soil, and these conditions can drastically change the color of your black hens and chicks. Once they’re stable, they can be the most drought-tolerant plant there is. They are also deer-resistant and can survive both outdoors and indoors. If you want them to look their best, experts suggest letting them thrive outdoors. 

Chinese Jade

This plant belongs to the tiny hedgehog-looking succulent family called Sinocrassula Yunnanensis. True to their similarities to real hedgehogs, this plant has small and spiky foliage that clump up into a dense rosette-shaped flower. They are known for their resilience and tolerance against dry air, warm temperatures, and droughts.

Haworthia Marxii

This black succulent variety is localized as it’s restricted to the southern mountainous parts of the Rooinek Pass in Laingsburg. According to experts, this is one of the most difficult succulent varieties to grow as seeds are the only means of propagating the plant. It’s also common to see them sprout from the ground before they clump up. Even the look of this plant looks complicated and unique — resembling an elongated pyramid with matrix-like characters etched on its stem and body. 

Echeveria Black Knight

This is one of the most straightforward black succulent varieties that is easy to grow — all you have to follow the succulent-growing basics. You need to repot them as soon as you bring them home in a nursery bag. Choose the right potting mix and container for it, and never overwater it. It shares the same parent as Echeveria affinis; that’s why they look the same. 

Mexican Hens and Chicks

This variety is also known as Echeveria Elegans, which translates to elegant classic. This succulent is one of the rare types that can thrive and survive in frost and snow. When in full bloom, they can grow into a flower bed of pale blue rosettes. Experts caution growers to limit the frequency of fertilizing as this variety tends to overgrow and spread expansively. 

Haworthia Nigra

This is another black succulent variety that looks different compared to other succulents. It’s a native of the Karoo desert, coming primarily from the Eastern Cape. It’s related to Haworthia viscos, which explains their glaring similarities. This variety grows best among stones and even under the bushes. 

Black Prince

This variety is also under the Echeveria family, and it prefers neutral, alkalenic, and acidic soil. This variety is native to Mexico and has nearly black, pointed, and fleshy leaves. This is the best succulent choice for green roofs, rock gardens, and containers.

Zwartkop

This tall succulent will still look green or green before it’s exposed to full sun. However, when it’s in full bloom after getting a sufficient amount of sunlight, you’ll see it in almost full black color. Just a quick note from experts — this plant is not intended as an indoor plant. They need sunlight to thrive.

Arachnacantha

This black succulent variety requires two conditions to thrive — porous cactus mix and good pot drainage. What’s exciting about this species is that they thrive in areas with a steady outpour of summer rainfall. You can also see them in rocky and hilly regions. Their distinguishing trait is the fact that they’re neither black nor pale blue. Since it’s a flowering succulent, what you can often see when they’re in full bloom is the flower above it that could be yellow, white, fuchsia, red, carnation pink, or orange in full bloom. 

Black Knight

This succulent’s most striking feature is its chocolate brown-colored leaves and stems when in full bloom. This plant needs this full sun and a cold environment to grow with the most intense color. 

How to Grow Black Succulents 

Growing black succulents is easy for as long as you know the necessary tools and the do’s and don’ts. Here is a step-by-step guide to growing them. 

Step 1 – Prepare your gardening tools

Succulents can make beautiful ground covers and gorgeous green rose succulent can attract onlookers to appreciate your garden. But before you start growing a black succulent, make sure that all the essential gardening tools are within reach, as it’s easier to proceed when all you need are nearby. You’ll need a trowel, pot, diluted soluble fertilizer, coffee filter, and cactus potting mix for this activity.

Step 2 – Fill your container pot with a potting mix

Place the coffee filter inside the pot. This will serve as a barrier that will keep the potting mix from draining along with the water. Fill half of your pot with a potting mix. 

Step 3 – Transfer your succulent to the new pot

With the trowel, dig a small hole where you can place the black succulent plants’ roots. Once the plant is secured in position, add more potting mix until the neck of the pot. Decorate the surface with pebbles or artificial turf. 

Step 4 – Fertilize and water your succulent

Apply an ample amount of water-soluble fertilizer and lightly water your succulent before placing them in your garden or indoor area. 

 

How to Take Care of Black Succulents

Here are some common care tips to make sure that your succulents are in good condition all the time. 

Step 1 – Make sure that they’re planted in suitable soil

As you already know, black succulents are sensitive to overwatering since they could rot their roots and make them prone to certain illnesses. You have to make sure that you choose the non-moisture retaining soil variety when you plant them. Some succulents also prefer alkaline, acidic, or porous soil, so make sure that you give them what they need. 

Step 2 – Know the requirements of the succulent variety you’re growing

Some black succulents prefer to live under the shade, while others want to be out under the full sun. Make sure that you’re aware of the needs of your succulent to allow them to thrive. 

Step 3 – Fertilize them when necessary

Make sure to fertilize your black succulents to keep them in perfect and healthy shape all the time. When you fertilize them, make sure only to use 10-10-10 water-soluble fertilizer to keep them safe.

Does More Spending Mean More Quality

When it comes to succulents, you don’t have to spend big to own one. You can start growing your own by simply knowing the basics of planting and caring for them. If you want to make them look attractive and luxurious, you can include them in your garden landscape or use unique and pleasant-looking pots. All in all, you don’t need to break your bank account to have a garden full of beautiful black succulents.

Do’s and Don’ts With Black Succulents

Do’s

• Try using mineralized homemade succulent soil. 
• Add a rare succulent to your collection and try growing fabulous flowering succulents.
• Get acquainted with repotting a succulent by yourself.
• Understand the needs and survival requirements of the succulent variety you’re raising. 
• Study in what condition your chosen succulent will thrive.
• Always remember never to overwater or underwater your succulents. 
• Repot them as soon as you take them home. 
• Repot them once every 12 to 18 months. 
• Always check the soil before watering succulents.

Don’ts

• Keep them in the nursery bag after taking them home. 
• Overwater or underwater your succulent plant.
• Drown them in fertilizer.
• Keep them in areas that are not suitable for their growth. 

FAQ About Black Succulents

Is Black Prince succulent rare?

Black Prince itself is not rare. What’s rare is the variegated cultivar of this species known as Bess Bates. The said species has a varying shade of purple, black, yellow, and light green. The color variation also changes from plant to plant, and this is the feature that makes them rare. On top of that, they’re also quite tedious to grow. 

Why is my black succulent turning green?

When your supposedly black succulent turns green, then that means it’s not growing in the right environmental conditions. For example, it’s supposed to be under the dark shade and frosty temperature, but it’s exposed to extreme heat, except that your black succulent would turn green just like ordinary succulents. 

Is there a black cactus?

Cacti turn black when they’re infected with fungi. There may be black succulents, but there are no black cacti. 

Why is my black rose succulent dying?

Root rotting due to a disease or overwatering is one reason why a black rose succulent dies. So, check the roots to see if they have been damaged. To keep your succulent from dying, only use terra cotta pots and cactus mix as these are good in draining excess moisture. 

Where can I buy black succulents?

You can buy these babies from your local garden or online. You can even check out Instagram, Etsy, Amazon, and other e-commerce stores for more options. 

Conclusion

Unlike best artificial succulents, real black succulents offer a plethora of benefits that go beyond aesthetics. They may require care and attention to thrive, but they’re way laidback and less straining to grow than other plants. So, if you want to start a new hobby that will surely relax you, try growing black succulents!

Photos from: Wirestock / depositphotos.com, nikkiapul / depositphotos.com and kazwako / depositphotos.com.